Blood in Stool: What does this mean?

You have just finished passing a bowel movement when you see it -- clay-colored to reddish streaks in your stool. Patients who notice blood in their stools in Suffolk County should not ignore these symptoms -- they can indicate an underlying condition that Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates physicians can likely treat.

Blood in your stool can take on many appearances. For example, you may only see streaks of blood in the toilet, streaks of red on your stool itself or blood on your toilet paper. This blood is not always bright red. Instead, it may be black, dark red or brick-colored. The color can give the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates a clue into what could be going on. For example, blood in stool that comes from digestive tract bleeding is often black because stomach acid can cause blood to turn black in appearance.

Why Am I Seeing Blood in My Stool?

Multiple reasons exist as to why you could be seeing blood in your stool. These range from something outside or close to your rectum, such as an anal fissure or hemorrhoid, to a cause in your upper digestive tract, such as a peptic ulcer. Other causes could include ulcerative colitis or diverticulosis. As a big concern, blood in your stool can be a symptom of colon cancer.

Anyone in Suffolk County who sees blood in his or her stool should seek treatment with the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates. While the situation may be a minor concern, each gastroenterologist at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates can work to identify this condition while ruling out more severe conditions, such as colon cancer. An examination is almost always required to identify rectal bleeding causes. The gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates will also ask you questions about when you first noticed the blood, what it looks like and if you have any other symptoms that could be related to rectal bleeding.

Ways the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates may attempt to diagnose your rectal bleeding cause, include blood testing to determine if you have low blood levels. A rectal examination may help to identify hemorrhoids. In some instances, the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates may recommend diagnostic procedures, such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to view the inner intestinal lining. This allows the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates to determine if you have diverticulosis pocket, colon polyps or signs of colon cancer present in your digestive tract.

If you live in Suffolk County and suspect you or a loved one may have blood in your stool, contact Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates at (631) 289-0300. If you are experiencing severe or significant bleeding from your rectum, seek emergency medical attention.